HMS Prince of Wales - Britain ready for war
Royal Navy has been the pride of Britain and it is what made the British Empire. During the Battle of the Atlantic, the British fleet made crucial contributions against Nazi Germany and the Kriegsmarine.
When it was announced in late February 2020 that the new Royal Navy aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, will visit the River Mersey Liverpool for over a week, we made sure to see this floating marvel of modern military technology.
The first impression was that it is a total demonstration of the Royal Navy power, its long service to the country - and we had a chance to witness history in the making - HMS Prince of Wales is the most powerful warships ever constructed in the UK.
Planned to last for 50 years, her full deployment will be reached in 2023. It is a second, After HMS Queen Elizabeth, of the two aircraft carriers in the Royal Navy; 280 metres long, can make 500 miles per day. The crew can reach up to 1,600 people, on board are also F35 jets, Merlin helicopters and offshore vehicles.
The scale of the ship is really spectacular.
It certainly is one of the biggest assets in the UK's defence system. However, HMS Prince of Wales will go around the world with a wide range of tasks - preventing conflicts, delivering humanitarian aid, securing international law-enforcement, participating in the development of science and technology. The list is long and complicated, we can only imagine.
Large crowds were gathered at the waterfront, the weather was very favourable, and from the ship's loudspeaker music of the Beatles, Gerry and the Pacemakers could be heard. The ship has been made connected to Liverpool (and Bristol) in terms of the Royal Navy affiliation system, meaning close bonds between a vessel and the towns, cities, institutions, and people.
On this occasion, the Royal Navy organised for the citicezns of Liverpool a special event. Over the weekend, Liverpool's Pier Head was bustling with diverse activities in the Military Village. There were combat displays, army fitness challenge, or even the army Masterchef challenge.
A range of vehicles and aircrafts such as Lynx and Gazelle helicopters were made accessible to the public.
From the middle of the 18th century, Britain established its maritime supremacy that lasted until the mid 20th century, largely reduced in size after the Second World War.
Maritime Village at the Liverpool waterfront, February 2020. The Royal Liver Building, the Cunard and the old Port of Lliverpool building are always a magnificent backdrop to the events organised there.
Royal Navy and the Army had also presented career opportunities for drivers, chefs, musicians, engineers and of course soldiers. There was a meeting with the veterans, charitable fundraising and at the end of the 'village' the Band of HM Royal Marines Scotland got in tune.
The Battle of the Atlantic allied forces had one of its headquarters in Liverpool.
Today it is the WWII Western Approaches Museum. It organised a special Wartime Weekend. It was an excellent occasion to get there and see how the operations were conducted.
Sources:
www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/the-fighting-arms/surface-fleet/aircraft-carriers/hms-prince-of-wales
www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/events/ships/200228-pows-liverpool
www.naval-technology.com/
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/shes-here-hms-prince-wales-17830168